Electric revolving signal light for railway switches



NOV. 21, 1939. c. H 218L067 ELEbTRIC REVOLVING SIGNAL LIGHT FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Aug. 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 6. J Rezyfi NOV. 21, c, J, RE 2,181,067

ELECTRIC REVOLVING SIGNAL LIGHT FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed Aug. 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,181,067 r Y ELECTRIC REVOLVING SIGNAL LIGHT non RAILWAY swrronns A I Clarence J. Reigh, Altoona, Pa. Application August 12, weas l-n1 No. 158,802 I,

2 Claims. (or 246476) This invention relates to an improved electric light signal of the revolving type which areapplied to and operated by a railway switch.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved electric signal of the type employing a stationary support for a lamp bulb and having a revolving lamp casing provided with a plurality of lenses to enclose and revolve around the bulb. One aim of this invention is to provide an improved supporting and clamping means to adjustably hold and operate the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clamping member in which the revolving casing is supported and held so that the casing can be swivelly adjusted relatively to'the clamping member to compensate for any change in position of the stationary support on which the clamping member and casing is mounted which might tend to throw the lenses out of line thereby causing the device to give an improper signal or to throw the lenses out of the visionof the engineer for whose benefit the signal operates.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting member comprising a channel bracket to form a conduit for the electric circuit and provided with closing means to cover the channel portion to protect the wiring from the elements.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an adjustable socket for the lamp bulb so that the supporting means of which the socket forms a part, may be adapted for use with lamp casings of various constructions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following specification of which the drawings form a part, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,-

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view partly in section and similar to Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cup like clamping member,

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of the stationary channel bracket,

Figure 9 is a side elevational view showing a modified clamping member and modified connecting means, and

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view on the line -I0l0 of Figure 9. Referring-more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts-in the different views, a

container -I0 suitably supported at H has secured to its side wall a bracket I2 to which is bolted a bracket l3 provided with a horizontal portion [4 from which extends an annular internally threaded flange [5. A sleeve I6 is provided with an externally threaded portion I! to engage flange l5. A U-shape member I8 is provided with an opening in its lower arm l9 by which is is adjustably mounted on sleeve I6, andis also provided with an opening in its upper arm-20 forming the socket for a lamp bulb 2 I.

2| by the conductors 25which extend through opening 23 through channel 22 and sleeve Hi to bulb 2|. A sealing strip 26 engages notches 21 in bracket l3 to enclose the channel portion 22 and the conductors 25.

A cup shaped clamping member 28 including a base 29 provided with anopening 30 as best seen in Figures 6 and 7 is mounted to rotate on the enlarged horizontal portion M, with flange l5 extending through opening 30. Member 28 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 3| supported by base 29 and provided with a slot 32 which is semi-circular. A vertical slot 33 forms the corresponding portions 34 and 35 to which are secured ears 36 to receive a nut bolt 31 to form clamping means.

A lamp casing 38 is provided with four lenses 39 mounted in conical shaped shields 40 and arranged at right angles to each other. Casing 38 is provided with an annular neck portion 4| which rests on base 29 and is enclosed by flange 3|. By tightening bolt 3'! portions 34 and 35 are drawn inwardly to clamp neck 4| as best seen in Figure 3. A collar 42 is mounted on flange l5 and rests on base 29 and is held by a set screw 43to hold member 28 in position.

A depending portion 44 extends downwardly from flange 3| and is provided with an elongated horizontal portion 45 which has a T-shaped slot 46 formed in the bottom thereof. A threaded bolt 41 has its head 48 mounted in slot 46 and is provided with a nut 49 to engage its threaded shank and to bear against the bottom of portion 45 to hold bolt 41 in position. The lower end of bolt 41 is formed in the shape of a ball 50 to be engaged by a socket (not shown) on connecting means leading to a switch mechanism.

In Figures 9 and 10 a modified operating means for clamping member 28 is shown, comprising an ear 5| provided with an opening 52 to be engaged by the shank 53 of clamp 54 which is secured to the rod 55 which is suitably connected to the switch mechanism (not shown). In Figure 9 a modified supporting means for the signal is shown wherein bracket 1 3 is attached to a tie 58, and a bracket 5! also attached to tie 55 supports clamp 54 and journals rod 55.

From the foregoing it will be seen that bulb 2| is energized by battery 24 to which it is connected by wires 25 which are enclosed by portions 22 and 26. Casing 38 which encloses bulb 2| is held by clamping member 28 which is connected to the switch mechanism. When the switch is moved clamping member 28 will revolve 90 I to move the opposed lenses 39 so that the opposite pair are placed parallel to the tracks and in view. It is common in all such casings to provide two red and two green lenses 39, the corresponding lenses being oppositely arranged to designate danger or safety. When clamping member 28 is moved thereforethe opposite set of lenses 39 will be positioned parallel to the tracks and in View. It frequently happens that the signals are struck or become loose so that the lenses 39 are no longer in proper relationship to the track. When this occurs it can be remedied by loosening bolt 31 and adjusting casing 38 relatively to clamping member 28without removing the signal. Since casings of different makes may be used bulb 2| is adjustably mounted by means of socket member 8 so thatit can be raised or lowered to properly position it relatively to the lenses 39.

It is to be understood that only the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, the right being reserved to make such changes and modifications as will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a railway switch signal comprising a light bulb provided with a stationary support and an electric conduit leading to a source of current, a lamp casing enclosing said bulb and mounted to revolve with the operation of the switch, said lamp casing being supported by a cup shaped member swivelly mounted and provided with a depending portion operably connected to the switch mechanism; said cup shaped member including a base and an annular flange connected through a portion of its length to said base, and said flange being split and provided with ears to receive suitable means to clamp said flange to said lamp casing.

2. In an electric signal for railway switches, a

channel shaped bracket, a tube mounted in the upper'end of said bracket and adapted to form a conduit for electric wiring, a lamp socket slidably mounted on said tubing and adapted to ad- -justably support a lamp bulb connected to the wiring extending through the tube, a lamp casing enclosing said bulb and having an annular depending portion, a clamping member including a circular base swivelly mounted on said bracket and having an upwardly extending split collar connected intermediate its ends to said base, clamping means connected to the free ends of said collar, the depending end of said casing being mounted in said clamping member and held in engagement therewith by tightening the clamping means connected to said collar, and means connecting said member to a railway switch to cause said casing to be turned relatively to the lamp and bracket when actuated by movement of the switch.

CLARENCE J REIGH. 

